My strong sense of discipline has always been with me, and it also gave me the need for deep affection. I have never been satisfied with acquaintances who are superficial, volatile, or quick to change. I have surrounded myself with people with whom I am in total complicity.

There is a danger in becoming an icon, as people can see you as remote and untouchable, and they are less willing to tolerate you doing things that don't fit with their preconceived idea of you. Iconic status can be like a pair of handcuffs, especially if, like me, you wish to continually stretch yourself creatively, as Warhol did.

There are always protests, whether you do something good or bad. Even if you do something beneficial, people say you do it because it's advertising.

Italy is not widely thought of as a pioneer of youth culture in the way, say, the UK is.

I didn't have a happy childhood.

It is imperative to create luxury products that are also functional. My vision for fashion precludes frivolous, fantasy-only designs. That said, fashion does tend to move more quickly than interior design. One doesn't change their couch every season as one does their wardrobe.

My aesthetic is about simplicity, elegance, and comfort, whether that is interpreted in a man's suit or a track suit.